The mother of a University of Arizona sophomore shot and killed on campus says Tucson has showered the family with kindness since the tragedy.
“Our family would like to express our gratitude to the community for its outpouring of support,” said Natasha Keys, whose son Forrest Keys was shot in a UA parking garage late Saturday.
“Although Forrest was only here in Tucson for a short time, he developed such strong friendships with so many people. Everywhere he went, he brought with him a big smile and a strong presence.
Video by Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
“His love and energy will forever be missed and live on in our hearts forever,” she said in an email to the Arizona Daily Star.
The family relocated from Pennsylvania to Tucson when Forrest Keys decided to attend the UA.
His mother asked for privacy while loved ones mourn their loss.
Forrest Keys was a member of the UA chapter of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity.
Plans to hold a socially distanced candlelight vigil on campus in his honor Friday were canceled amid fears it might draw a big crowd, an organizer said.
“Due to concerns about large gatherings, COVID-19 and a potential threat to the vaccination pod, the university and I mutually decided to cancel plans for the vigil,” UA student Ian Tisdale said in a social-media post.
A virtual memorial gathering is scheduled for Keys on Saturday at 10 a.m. and can be found on Youtube.
Meanwhile, the Tucson Police Department continues its search for those who shot Keys from an older red or maroon Cadillac sedan, which was captured on a parking garage security camera.
Photos: Homicide Survivors hold drive-in ceremony in Tucson
Homicide Survivors
Updated
Gricelda Carreon gets cell phone video of the victims memorial with her daughter Juliana Garcia during a vigil on the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, Tucson, Ariz., September 25, 2020. Carreon and her family were remembering her older daughter, Jazmine Vega, killed in a drive-by shooting in 2017. Vega was six months pregnant with her son, Carreon's grandson, Tadeo Vega at the time and who was delivered pre-maturely, died 14 months later from injuries in the attack. About 90 vehicles were signed up, all filled with relatives, for the drive-in style vigil with speakers Joan Gilbert, Jessica Escobedo and Ron Barber and a video by Flam Chen broadcast on a live stream as well.
Homicide Survivors
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Nicole Encalade listens to the program from her car with a small memorial featuring a photo herself with her father Nicholas Encalade who was killed in 2017 during a vigil on the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, Tucson, Ariz., September 25, 2020. This year's memorial was a drive-in style event due to COVID19 restrictions but still drew a few hundred to the MSA Annex at Avenida Del Convento.
Homicide Survivors
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Venessa Moreno and her fiancé Sal Karim decorate their car with lights, paper flowers and photos of Moreno's brothers Mark Orantez and Manuel Alcarez and cousin Christopher Moreno during a vigil on the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, Tucson, Ariz., September 25, 2020.
Homicide Survivors
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Lorraine Peru sets up a temporary shrine to her brother Patrick Balbastro, one of the victims being remembered during a vigil on the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, Tucson, Ariz., September 25, 2020.
Homicide Survivors
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Frances Moreno, left, and her cousin Ibette Grajeda decorate the car in honor of her son Christopher Moreno while Christopher's two-year-old son Ymir Salcido examines the trappings during a vigil on the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, Tucson, Ariz., September 25, 2020.
Homicide Survivors
Updated
Sylvia Alvarez, left, and Paula Lopez get the memorial to Alvarez's son, Michael Henderson, set up on before the star of the vigil on the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, Tucson, Ariz., September 25, 2020.
